Friday, February 13, 2015

New Tina Fey Film Begins Shooting in New Mexico

PARAMOUNT PICTURES ANNOUNCES START OF PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY ON THE “UNTITLED TINA FEY - MARGOT ROBBIE - MARTIN FREEMAN PROJECT”

HOLLYWOOD, CA – Paramount Pictures announced that principal photography has commenced on the “UNTITLED TINA FEY - MARGOT ROBBIE - MARTIN FREEMAN PROJECT,” starring Tina Fey (“30 Rock,” “This is Where I Leave You”), Margot Robbie (“Focus,” “The Wolf of Wall Street”) and Martin Freeman (“The Hobbit” franchise, “Sherlock”).

Based on the autobiography The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker, which the NY Times called “hilarious and harrowing, witty and illuminating, all at the same time,” the film is directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (“FOCUS,” “CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE”) from a screenplay by Robert Carlock (“Saturday Night Live,” “30 Rock”). The producers are Lorne Michaels (“Saturday Night Live,” “THREE AMIGOS,” “MEAN GIRLS”), Tina Fey and Ian Bryce (“TRANSFORMERS” franchise, “WORLD WAR Z”).

The film also stars Alfred Molina (“The Normal Heart,” “Law & Order: LA”), Nicholas Braun (“GET A JOB,” “THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER”), Christopher Abbott (“A MOST VIOLENT YEAR,” “Girls”), Sheila Vand (“State of Affairs,” “ARGO”), Stephen Peacocke (“Home and Away,” “HERCULES”), Evan Jonigkeit (“BONE TOMAHAWK,” “X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST”) and Billy Bob Thornton (“THE JUDGE,” “Fargo”).

Shooting in now underway in New Mexico.


About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

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Thursday, February 12, 2015

2015 Black Reel Award Nominations - Complete List


The Black Reel Awards will be held one week from tonight:

The Black Reel Awards annually honor African-Americans in feature, independent, and television film.  The awards also take notice of the work in film by people of color throughout the African Diaspora.  The awards were launched in 2000, and this is the 15th year the awards will be handed out.  The Black Reel Awards are now given out by the Foundation for the Advancement of African-Americans in Film (FAAAF).

The Foundation for the Advancement of African-Americans in Film (FAAAF) announced its nominees for the 15th Annual Black Reel Awards on December 17, 2014.

The Black Reel Awards are comprised of more than 60 voters across the country.  The voters annually select and spotlight films and performances featuring African-Americans, as well as people of color throughout the African Diaspora.  The 15th Annual Black Reel Awards winners will be announced on Thursday, February 19, 2015.

The 2015 / 15th Black Reel Awards nominations – a full list:

MOTION PICTURE

Outstanding Motion Picture
    Belle | Damian Jones (Fox Searchlight)
    Beyond the Lights | Stephanie Allain, Amar’e Stoudamire, Reggie Rock Bythewood &  Ryan Kavanaugh (Relativity Media)
    Dear White People | Justin Simien, Angel Lopez, Lena Waithe, Ann Le, Effie Brown &      Julia Lebedev (Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions)
    Selma | Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner & Christian Colson (Paramount)
    Top Five | Scott Rudin & Eli Bush (Paramount)

Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture
    Chadwick Boseman | Get on Up (Universal Pictures)
    David Oyelowo | Selma (Paramount)
    Nate Parker | Beyond the Lights (Relativity Media)
    Chris Rock | Top Five (Paramount)
    Denzel Washington | The Equalizer (Columbia Pictures)

Outstanding Actress, Motion Picture
    Rosario Dawson | Top Five (Paramount)
    Gugu Mbatha-Raw | Belle (Fox Searchlight)
    Gugu Mbatha-Raw | Beyond the Lights (Relativity Media)
    Tessa Thompson | Dear White People (Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions)
   Quvenzhane Wallis | Annie (Columbia Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Motion Picture
    Nelsan Ellis | Get On Up (Universal)
    David Oyelowo | A Most Violent Year (A24)
    Tyler Perry | Gone Girl (20th Century Fox)
    Wendell Pierce | Selma (Paramount)
Michael K. Williams | The Gambler (Paramount)

Outstanding Supporting Actress, Motion Picture
    Viola Davis | The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby (The Weinstein Company)
    Carmen Ejogo | Selma (Paramount)
    Teyonah Parris | Dear White People (Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions)
    Zoe Saldana | Guardians of the Galaxy (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
    Octavia Spencer | Snowpiercer (The Weinstein Company)

Outstanding Director, Motion Picture
    Amma Asante | Belle (Fox Searchlight)
    Gina Prince-Bythewood | Beyond the Lights (Relativity Media)
    Ava DuVernay | Selma (Paramount)
    Chris Rock | Top Five (Paramount)
    Justin Simien | Dear White People (Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions)

Outstanding Screenplay (Original or Adapted), Motion Picture
    Gina Prince-Bythewood | Beyond the Lights (Relativity Media)
    John Ridley | Jimi: All is by My Side (XLrator Media/ Open Road Films)
    Chris Rock | Top Five (Paramount)
    Misan Sagay | Belle (Fox Searchlight)
    Justin Simien | Dear White People (Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions)

Outstanding Documentary
    Anita: Speaking Truth to the Power | Freida Lee Mock (Samuel Goldwyn)
    I Am Ali | Clare Lewins (Focus World)
    Keep on Keepin’ On | Alan Hicks (Radius-TWC)
    Time is Illmatic | One9 (Tribeca Film)
    Virunga | Orlando von Einsiedel (Netflix)

Outstanding Ensemble (Awarded to Casting Directors)
    Belle | Toby Whale (Fox Searchlight)
    Dear White People | Kim Coleman (Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions)
    Get On Up | Kerry Barden & Paul Schnee (Universal)
    Selma | Aisha Coley (Paramount)
   Top Five | Victoria Thomas (Paramount)

Outstanding Foreign Film
    Difret (Ethiopia)| Zeresenay Mehari  (Moving Turtle)
    The Double! (U.K.) | Richard Ayoade (Magnolia Films)
    Fishing Without Nets (Kenya) | Cutter Hodierne  (Drafthouse Films)
    Freedom Road (South Africa) | Shane Vermooten (Media Village Productions)
    Half of a Yellow Sun (Nigeria) | Biyi Bandele (Monterey Media)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male
    Brandon Bell | Dear White People (Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions)
    David Gyasi | Interstellar (Paramount)
    Andre Holland | Selma (Paramount)
    Stephan James | Selma (Paramount)
    Tyler James Williams | Dear White People (Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female
    Jillian Estell| Black or White (Relativity Media)
    Patina Miller | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1 (Lionsgate)
    Teyonah Parris | Dear White People (Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions)
    Amber Stevens | 22 Jump Street (Columbia/ MGM)
   Kuoth Wiel | The Good Lie (Warner Bros.)

Outstanding Voice Performance
    Vin Diesel | Guardians of the Galaxy (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
    Morgan Freeman | The LEGO Movie (Warner Bros. Pictures)
    Maya Rudolph | Big Hero 6 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
    Zoe Saldana | The Book of Life (20th Century Fox)
    Damon Wayans Jr. | Big Hero 6 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)


MUSIC

Outstanding Score
    Terence Blanchard | Black or White (Relativity Media)
    Kathryn Bostic | Dear White People (Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions)
    Danny Bramson & Waddy Wachtel | Jimi: All is by My Side (XLrator Media/ Open Road Films)
    Mask Isham | Beyond the Lights (Relativity Media)
    Jason Moran | Selma (Paramount)

Outstanding Original Song
    “It Ain’t Easy” from Top Five | Written & Performed by: Questlove & Elza Colby (Paramount)
    “It’s On Again” from The Amazing Spider-Man 2| Performed by: Alicia Keys & Kendrick Lamar; Written by: Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, Hans Zimmer & Kendrick Lamar (Sony Pictures)
    “Glory” from Selma | Performed by: John Legend & Common; Written by: John Legend, Common & Che Smith (Paramount)
    “Grateful” from Beyond the Lights | Performed by: Rita Ora; Written by: Diane Warren (Relativity Media)
   “What is Love” from Rio 2 | Performed by: Janelle Monae; Written by: Janelle Monae, Nathaniel Irvin III and Roman Irvin (20th Century Fox)


INDEPENDENT

Outstanding Independent Feature
    1982 | Tommy Oliver
    Christmas Wedding Baby | Kiara C. Jones
    CRU | Alton Glass
    The Retrieval | Chris Eska (Variance Films)
    Una Vida: A Fable of Music and the Mind | Richie Adams

Outstanding Independent Documentary
    25 to Life | Mike Brown (AAFRM)
    Evolution of a Criminal | Darius Clark Monroe
    Let the Fire Burn | Jason Osder
    Oscar Micheaux: The Czar of Black Hollywood | Bayer Mack
    Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People | Thomas Allen Harris

Outstanding Independent Short
    #AmeriCan | Nate Parker
    Muted | Rachel Goldberg
    The Voodoo | Steven Alexander


TELEVISION

Outstanding Television Documentary or Special
    Finding the Funk | Nelson George (VH1)
    Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown | Alex Gibney (HBO)
    On the Run Tour: Jay-Z & Beyonce | Jonas Akerlund (HBO)
    The Tanning of America: One Nation Under Hip-Hop | Billy Corben & Alfred Spellman (VH1)
   Terror at the Mall | Dan Reed (HBO)

Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series
    A Day Late and a Dollar Short | Tom Leonardis, Jeffrey M. Hayes, Bill Haber & Whoopi Goldberg (Lifetime)
    Gun Hill | Reggie Rock Bythewood (BET)
    Rosemary’s Baby | Zoe Saldana, Cisely Saldana, Mariel Saldana, Tom Patricia & Robert Bernacchi (NBC)
    Seasons of Love | Joshua A. Green, Asger Hussain & Yaron Schwartzman (Lifetime)
    The Trip to Bountiful | Bill Haber, Cicely Tyson, Hallie Foote & Jeff Hayes (Lifetime)

Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series
    Charles S. Dutton | Comeback Dad (UP)
    David Alan Grier | An En Vogue Christmas (Lifetime)
    Ving Rhames | A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime)
    Keith Robinson | Lyfe’s Journey (UP)
    Larenz Tate | Gun Hill (BET)

Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Mini-Series
    Whoopi Goldberg | A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime)
    Imani Hakim | The Gabby Douglas Story (Lifetime)
    Letoya Luckett | Seasons of Love (Lifetime)
    Zoe Saldana | “Rosemary’s Baby” (NBC)
    Cicely Tyson | The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime)

Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series
    Richard T. Jones | Lyfe’s Journey (UP)
    Harry Lennix | The Fright Night Files (TVOne)
    Mekhi Phifer | A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime)
    Blair Underwood | The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime)
    Bokeem Woodbine | The Fright Night Files (TVOne)

Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Mini-Series
    Tichina Arnold | A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime)
    Kimberly Elise | A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime)
    Aisha Hinds | Gun Hill (BET)
    Anika Noni Rose | A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime)
   Vanessa L. Williams | The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime)

Outstanding Director, TV Movie or Mini-Series
    Reggie Rock Bythewood | Gun Hill (BET)
    Stan Foster | My Other Mother (UP)
    Princess Monique | Seasons of Love (Lifetime)
    Russ Parr & R.L. Scott | The Fright Night Files (TVOne)
    Ryan Richmond | Lyfe’s Journey (UP)

Outstanding Writing, TV Movie or Mini-Series
    Reggie Rock Bythewood | Gun Hill (BET)
    Shernold Edwards | A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime)
    Dayna Lynne North | An En Vogue Christmas (Lifetime)
    Peres Owino & Sharon Brathwaite-Sanders | Seasons of Love (Lifetime)
    Kimberly Walker | Comeback Dad (UP)


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Webcomics Update: Grumble #1 Page 16


Page 16 is here: http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbleone016.html


Wednesday, February 11, 2015

"Tiger & Bunny The Movie: The Rising" Combo Pack Due February 24th, 2015

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES HOME MEDIA RELEASE OF TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING

Anime Action Film Adventure Based On Smash Hit Japanese Superhero Franchise Debuts On DVD And Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Filled With Special Bonus Features

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced the home media release of TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING, available on DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack on February 24th 2015.

Inspired by the hit anime and bestselling manga (graphic novel) series about the adventures of a pair of corporately sponsored superheroes, the full-length animated film release also contains a variety of bonus features. The standard DVD edition and Blu-ray Combo Pack both include official theatrical trailers and promotional videos as well as exciting footage from the film’s San Francisco premiere event, a TIGER & BUNNY TV series special digest, and clean opening and closing segments. Bonus features available exclusively on the Blu-ray Combo Pack edition include specialty print foil O-card, an insightful interview with producer Kazuhiko Tamura, a video production art gallery, a Hero Weekly Countdown, and a compilation of TIGER & BUNNY commercials. English dubbed as well as subtitled dialogue options are available on both formats.

The TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING Standard Edition DVD carries an MSRP of $19.98 U.S. / $24.98 CAN. The Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack features full 1080p High Definition resolution and carries an MSRP of $29.99 U.S. / $37.48 CAN.

The heroes of TIGER & BUNNY are back in an all-new feature-length film! Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, a.k.a. Wild Tiger, and Barnaby Brooks Jr.'s partnership comes to a sudden end when Apollon Media's new owner Mark Schneider fires Kotetsu and moves Barnaby back into the First League, paring him up with Golden Ryan, a new hero with awesome powers and a huge ego to match. When the heroes are sent to investigate a string of strange incidents tied closely to the city's Goddess Legend, they discover three super-powered NEXTs are plotting to bring terror and destruction to Stern Bild.

“Fans will definitely enjoy the latest adventures of Japan’s most potent band of corporately sponsored superheroes in this all-new theatrical release,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Animation Marketing Manager. “TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING picks up after the events of the popular TV series and introduces some dynamic new characters along with a sinister new threat to the city of Stern Bild. The Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack is a definitive edition containing plenty of extras to make it a worthy addition to any fan’s collection. Get ready for some intense super-powered superhero excitement in this exhilarating new action adventure!”

The TIGER & BUNNY manga series features artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara and is based on the smash hit animated series by the famed anime studio Sunrise that has also thrilled legions of fans across North America. In the TIGER & BUNNY anime and manga series, Stern Bild is a metropolitan city where superheroes called NEXT help to maintain peace. Sporting sponsor logos on their suits, these heroes work to solve cases and save people’s lives in order to earn Hero Points, while also helping to improve the public image of their corporate sponsors. Their activities are documented and broadcast by the popular show “HERO TV,” in which each superhero strives to become the “King of Heroes” of the year.

VIZ Media is the distributor of the TIGER & BUNNY manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens), which features artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara and is based on the massively popular animated series, created by the famed Tokyo-based anime studio Sunrise. VIZ Media also licenses and distributes the popular TIGER & BUNNY feature film and anime series that are available on DVD/Blu-ray.

More information on the TIGER & BUNNY anime is available at: www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny and VIZAnime.com/tiger-and-bunny/

For more information on TIGER & BUNNY or other titles available from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

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IMAX to Screen Disney's Live-Action "Cinderella" Film

Disney's Live-Action Cinderella To Be Released In IMAX® Theatres Globally Starting March 13

SANTA MONICA, Calif., /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) and The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), today announced that the highly anticipated live-action Cinderella - directed by Academy Award(®) nominee Kenneth Branagh and starring Academy Award(®) winner Cate Blanchett as the Stepmother and Lily James in the timeless title role - will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX(®) format and released in IMAX(®) theatres globally beginning March 13, 2015.

A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, Cinderella is written by Chris Weitz and produced by Simon Kinberg, Allison Shearmur and David Barron. Tim Lewis served as executive producer.

"Based on the timeless classic, Cinderella now is a visually breath-taking live-action gem from the hugely talented Kenneth Branagh, with whom we're thrilled to partner again, as well as the wonderful team at Disney," said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. "Having been fortunate to see the movie several weeks ago, we believe Cinderella will resonate with movie-goers from around the globe, and we can't wait to share it with IMAX audiences worldwide."

The IMAX(®) release of Cinderella will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(®) with proprietary IMAX DMR(®) (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

For more information about Cinderella, please visit Disney's official website at http://disney.com/cinderella/.

About CINDERELLA:
The story of Cinderella follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella's father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother's dying words and to "have courage and be kind." She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella's hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham-Carter) steps forward and - armed with a pumpkin and a few mice - changes Cinderella's life forever.

About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.  As of September 30, 2014, there were 880 IMAX theatres (751 commercial multiplexes, 19 commercial destinations and 110 institutions) in 60 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience® and IMAX Is Believing® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on IMAX management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in IMAX's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

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Oprah Winfey, Benedict Cumberbatch Among Oscar Nominee Presenters at 87th Oscars

Oscar® Nominees Cotillard, Cumberbatch, Streep, Winfrey And Witherspoon To Present At 87th Oscars®

Oscar® nominees Marion Cotillard, Benedict Cumberbatch, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon will be presenters at this year’s Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, will air on Sunday, February 22, 2015 live on ABC.

Cotillard is nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for “Two Days, One Night.” She previously won an Oscar in this category for the 2007 film “La Vie en Rose.”

Cumberbatch is nominated for Actor in a Leading Role for “The Imitation Game.”

Streep earned a record 19th acting nomination this year for her supporting role in “Into the Woods.” She previously took home Oscars for her lead performances in “Sophie’s Choice” (1982) and “The Iron Lady” (2011), and her supporting performance in “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979). Streep’s previous Best Actress nominations were for “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” (1981), “Silkwood” (1983), “Out of Africa” (1985), “Ironweed” (1987), “A Cry in the Dark” (1988), “Postcards from the Edge” (1990), “The Bridges of Madison County” (1995), “One True Thing” (1998), “Music of the Heart” (1999), “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006), “Doubt” (2008), “Julie & Julia” (2009) and “August: Osage County” (2013). She also received Best Supporting Actress nominations for “The Deer Hunter” (1978) and “Adaptation” (2002).

Winfrey is nominated for Best Picture as one of the producers of “Selma.” She was previously nominated for Actress in a Supporting Role for “The Color Purple” (1985). She received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2011.

Witherspoon is nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for “Wild.” She previously won an Oscar in this category for the 2005 movie “Walk the Line.”

The 87th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars, produced by Zadan and Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Jack Black to Make Special Appearance at the 87th Oscars

Jack Black To Perform At The Oscars®
The versatile actor, singer and comedian Jack Black will make a special appearance at the 87th Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, will air on Sunday, February 22, 2015 live on ABC.

"Jack Black is a complete original comic voice and we're beyond thrilled that he has agreed to join the Oscars show in a very special sequence" says Zadan and Meron.

Black has starred in such films as “High Fidelity,” “Shallow Hal,” “School of Rock,” “King Kong,” and “Tropic Thunder,” and is voicing the title character in “Kung Fu Panda 3,” his third turn in the animated feature series. He also is the lead singer and guitarist of the comedy rock duo Tenacious D, which he formed in 1994 with Kyle Gass.  Black has made three previous appearances on the Oscars, most recently as a presenter at the 81st Academy Awards.

The 87th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars, produced by Zadan and Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.